Educational technology, or EdTech, is a crucial tool that provides students with exciting opportunities. However, without proper guidance, technology can pose threats like cyberbullying and fake news to students. Before integrating EdTech into your classroom, students must acquire media literacy skills to avoid these dangers and safely navigate tools like social media and AI-generated content.

Before we discover how to implement these strategies, let’s learn about the pros and cons of modern media and their impact on students.
The Impact of Media on Students

Most people under age 25 in the U.S. grew up on their phones, giving them 24/7 access to digital technology like social media, which greatly impacts students. Additionally, the most recent generation of these platforms and the latest smartphones come with AI technology, allowing users to create nearly anything they can think of.

These forms of media are both a blessing and a curse. Let’s look at the specific impact of each and how media literacy can safeguard students from the harmful aspects of these technologies in the classroom.
Social Media

The impact of social media on students today is easy to overlook. However, with 95% of teens aged 13 to 17 active on these channels, teachers must address this issue. Some harm is more tangible. People who spend three hours a day or more can have serious impacts on their mental health, including anxiety and depression. It can also distract young people from other areas of life, like academics, sports, and clubs.

Social media can also create unrealistic expectations for young people, especially when influencers share perfect photos perfected by filters. They put their best foot forward, misleading viewers into thinking that life should always be happy and beautiful. These deceptive posts can lead to low self-esteem, a poor body image, and a distorted view of reality. Educators can help students learn that social media is not a perfect reflection of life, nor should it destroy their self-confidence.
AI

Because it’s so prevalent in our everyday lives, media literacy in the age of AI is critical. Developers use AI to personalize online content, including our social media feeds, ads we see online, and even our Google searches. Students may not know that these algorithms cater to their beliefs, making them vulnerable to misinformation due to exposure to “echo chambers.” In such digital spaces, it can be difficult for students to explore other perspectives or fact-check claims.

However, AI is a helpful tool in the classroom and beyond. Teachers must empower their students’ education by showing them how to use AI responsibly. Rather than avoiding AI in the classroom, teachers must recognize how it helps students with skills like developing content, getting feedback on their work, and assisting in research. Because AI will likely be a necessary skill for future employment, they must understand how to use it while avoiding its pitfalls.

Social media and AI are beneficial when used properly. That’s where media literacy can help students.
Media Literacy and Ethics

Students must learn media literacy skills to use AI and social media wisely. According to Dr. Kristen Mattson, author of “Ethics in a Digital World: Guiding Students Through Society’s Biggest Questions,” teachers are just as responsible as parents for helping develop students into ethical digital citizens. Too often, technology training is compartmentalized.

Students learn a functional skill without guidance on the larger implications of media literacy. Teachers should help even young students be aware of the digital footprint they leave behind when they interact with technology.

To help students use social media and AI ethically, guiding principles should be the foundation of any media literacy course. These principles can teach:

• Policies that address urgent issues, like safety and security while using these mediums;

• Prioritizing professional development for teachers, including documenting their experiences integrating AI and social media in the classroom;

• Using these tools for student improvement, such as AI for personalized learning or social media to promote helpful causes.

To develop media literacy coursework, teachers must first uncover the challenges that social media and AI present in an educational or professional setting besides personal use. Mind map software is an excellent tool that helps educators and students visualize these challenges. Mind maps begin with one central idea and from there, users can map out different topics that impact this theme.

For example, your central topic can be social media. From there, students can map out topics such as dangers or benefits. Under each subject, they can further elaborate on anything they can think of, helping them brainstorm more effectively. This is a great collaborative tool for classroom discussions and group projects. Mind maps can also help educators develop coursework and policies to address media literacy in the classroom.

EdTech is a critical tool in helping students develop media literacy. AI and social media are just two tools that educators must understand and help their students use wisely and ethically. Doing so will help students thrive in both the classroom and the modern workplace.



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